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Evan Mobley leads Cavaliers to 19-point comeback win with dominant 4th quarter, stunning block on Jayson Tatum

Published

2 years ago

November 14, 2021

Early on Saturday, we learned that some coaches around the NBA are jealous they don’t get to coach Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley. Later that night, he showed exactly why that’s the case with a dominant fourth quarter to lead the Cavs to a 19-point comeback win over the Boston Celtics.

After trailing by 19 late in the third quarter, the Cavs gave themselves a chance by getting the deficit down to 12 entering the fourth. From there, they turned things over to Mobley, who took control on both ends of the floor. He scored 12 points in the frame to nearly match the Celtics by himself, and came up with a number of huge defensive plays, including a stunning chase-down block on Jayson Tatum.

For the night, he finished with 19 points, nine rebounds and three blocks on 8 of 13 from the field, and the Cavaliers were plus-16 with him on the floor in a game they won by two. It was just the latest show of brilliance from a player who has established himself as the best in the class so far. Let’s take a closer look at how Mobley put the Cavaliers on his back.

Defense

We have to focus first on Mobley’s defense, because it’s been his calling card through the first few weeks of his rookie campaign, and it was where he made the best play of the night. In fact, his incredible play to chase down Tatum just might wind up as one of the best blocks of the season.

In the middle of the fourth, Mobley tried to go to the basket but came up short with his floater after a spin move. Instead of sulking, Mobley immediately began sprinting back down to the other end and finally caught up to Tatum right at the rim. He extended and sent the shot away. The refs initially called it goaltending on the floor, but the replay showed Mobley somehow got the ball before Tatum released it. Truly a remarkable play.

But Mobley wasn’t just making highlight reel plays. He kept showing up time and again to make life difficult for the Celtics with smart rotations and active hands. There was a block on Dennis Schroder early in the quarter, a deflected Marcus Smart pass that turned into a turnover and a perfect contest to force an airball from Tatum on the switch.

Just look how he sits down in a stance to prevent Tatum from getting into the lane, then has the quickness and length to get out for a perfect contest.

On the final possession of the game, with the Cavs clinging to a two-point lead, he also helped keep the ball out of Tatum’s hands, which ultimately led to a bad shot from Schroder. Mobley’s effort on the defensive end was a big factor in the Celtics’ brutal fourth, during which they scored just 15 points and turned the ball over eight times.

It was also another example of why he’s drawn comparisons to Kevin Garnett and Anthony Davis after only 14 games. Few rookies have ever come into the league this polished on the defensive end, and Mobley has the potential to be the best player in the league on that side of the ball some day.

Offense

While most of the discussion about Mobley rightfully centers on his defense, he’s not a stiff on the other end. He’s averaging 15.6 points on 52.7 percent shooting and flashed some really terrific stuff in the fourth quarter as he put up 12 points on 5 of 7 from the field.

He started off with this smooth turnaround fadeaway over Grant Williams that left a stunned Celtics broadcast team with nothing to say but “wow.”

Later on he put more of his outside skills on display with a hesitation pull-up jumper right in Robert Williams III’s face.

And then, with less than two minutes to play and the Cavs trailing by two, he showed what happens if you try to guard him with a wing. He went down in the post and bullied Tatum en route to a clutch turnaround hook shot to tie the score.

Three completely different moves, three positive results. Mobley might never be a 25-point-per-game guy, in part because he’s so wired to play the game the right way and get his teammates involved. But it’s clear already that he’s going to be able to score when necessary.

If you aren’t watching Mobley on a regular basis, the praise might seem hyperbolic, but it’s not. He is the real deal. Thanks in large part to his impact on both ends of the floor, the Cavs are now 9-5, which is their best start since 2017, and he has them just a game out of the best record in the Eastern Conference.

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Related Topics:19point 4th block Cavaliers Comeback dominant Evan Jayson leads Mobley Quarter stunning Tatum win

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Bucks Star Reveals His Retirement Plans

Published

1 min ago

September 26, 2023

nigemord@gmail.com

(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

The Milwaukee Bucks were the No. 1 seed in the 2022-23 NBA season.

Sure, they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs in five games against the Miami Heat, but it doesn’t take away the fact that the Bucks are still one of the best teams in the league.

Outside the dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday is an integral part of the Bucks roster.

Speaking of Holiday, the 33-year-old recently shared his retirement plans, via NBACentral on Twitter.

“I don’t want to play for any other team,” Holiday said.

Jrue Holiday says he wants to retire a Milwaukee Buck
“I don’t want to play for any other team. I think we have a chance to continue to do great things as the Bucks team and organization so I want to be in Milwaukee.”
(Via Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) pic.twitter.com/T9OFUf7neU
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— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 26, 2023

Holiday says he wants to spend his entire career with the Bucks.

A crucial reason behind his decision is the fact that he believes the current Bucks team can still achieve great things in the NBA.

Holiday joined the Bucks ahead of the 2020-21 season, and the Bucks ended up being NBA champions that very season.

Moreover, Holiday is aging like fine wine.

In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 19.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game.

Holiday was named an NBA All-Star as well, his second career selection.

On top of being a reliable scorer and playmaker, his defense is his strongest suit.

The Bucks need a defensive anchor like him on the roster to lock down the best scorers on opposing teams.

All things considered, Holiday remains a key figure in the Bucks organization, and there’s a very good chance that he will spend the remainder of his career with the team.

Holiday signed a four-year, $134.9 million contract in 2021 and can remain with the Bucks until the summer of 2025 if he opts into his player option for the final year of his deal.

The post Bucks Star Reveals His Retirement Plans appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Video Shows Jimmy Butler Engaged In Intense Game

Published

5 mins ago

September 26, 2023

nigemord@gmail.com

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The summer is winding down for Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat and he is using the remainder of his time staying competitive.

No, he’s not being competitive on the basketball court.

Instead, a video released by Butler on Instagram, and shared by ClutchPoints on Twitter, shows Butler playing some intense games of dominoes with others in London.

Throughout the video, Butler and his buddies are seen to be laughing, enthusiastically winning (and losing), and generally having a good time.

Jimmy Butler played an INTENSE game of dominoes in London
(via @JimmyButler / IG)pic.twitter.com/yW7jhycwZ8
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 26, 2023

Butler has had a very busy summer.

He sat out of the FIBA Basketball World Cup but did enjoy a lot of other sports.

Over the last few years, Butler has become a very big tennis fan and he was globe-trotting to catch some major games throughout the summer.

But he has remained relatively low-key aside from a few public outings.

Of course, he has been preparing for the new season in private, which is very important.

He was a key part of the Heat’s roster last season and his leadership was one of the reasons why they got so far in the postseason.

Now the Heat are hoping to have a similar season in 2023-24.

However, there is one massive question mark floating above that team: Will Damian Lillard be a part of it?

Lillard wants to play for the Heat and the team would be very happy to welcome him.

But as training camp quickly approaches, it sounds like a deal between the Portland Trail Blazers and Heat might not happen.

If that is the case, Butler will remain the team’s leader when the season starts in October.

It’s a good thing Butler is enjoying his summer and relaxing – he is going to need it.

The post Video Shows Jimmy Butler Engaged In Intense Game appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Kevin O’Connell Delivers An Ultimatum To Players Amid Turnover Issues

Published

10 mins ago

September 26, 2023

nigemord@gmail.com

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

It’s been a tough start to the season for the Minnesota Vikings.

Kevin O’Connell’s team sits on a 0-3 record, and even though they’ve been close in all three losses, they’ve shot themselves in the foot way too many times.

Ball security has been their biggest issue thus far, with seven lost fumbles throughout the first three weeks of the season.

So, after RB Alexander Mattison fumbled twice and T.J. Hockenson also lost the ball in Sunday’s heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Head Coach sent his players a stern message: You won’t see the field or be a part of the team if you keep turning the ball over (via ProFootballTalk).

Kevin O'Connell: We have to hold onto the football or we'll find guys who will. https://t.co/ZF9CLGHpBB
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) September 26, 2023

Besides turnovers, a complete lack of a running game has also made it tough for the Vikings to get their first win of the season.

Kirk Cousins has been fairly efficient and has put up some big numbers, but they continue to sit last in rushing yards per game and total rushing yards.

Hopefully, Cam Akers’ arrival is going to do something to change that situation.

Up next, they have a date with the Carolina Panthers, who may have No. 1 pick Bryce Young back behind center after missing one game with an injured ankle.

Whatever the case, the Panthers’ defense has been fairly better than expected to start the season.

The Vikings can’t afford to lose the turnover battle again, and another loss could lead to some major changes, both in the lineup and in the organization.

The post Kevin O’Connell Delivers An Ultimatum To Players Amid Turnover Issues appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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